Overview

An air of mystery surrounds Cleopatra. A record of her reign as queen of Egypt simply doesn't exist and we must piece together her story from fragments, artifacts, and historical writings. Was she a selfish, extragvagant, and overly ambitious tyrant? Or was she a patriotic advocate for her people with the courage to stand up to those who held power in Rome?

Cleopatra spent her reign fighting for her right to rule and struggling to maintain Egypt's independence. Love, power, and ...

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Overview

An air of mystery surrounds Cleopatra. A record of her reign as queen of Egypt simply doesn't exist and we must piece together her story from fragments, artifacts, and historical writings. Was she a selfish, extragvagant, and overly ambitious tyrant? Or was she a patriotic advocate for her people with the courage to stand up to those who held power in Rome?

Cleopatra spent her reign fighting for her right to rule and struggling to maintain Egypt's independence. Love, power, and political advantage became intertwined as Cleopatra aligned herself with the dominant politcal figures of her time. These partnerships both helped and hurt her beloved Egypt. So who was Cleopatra? Her motives may be open to debate, but it cannot be denied that she was a savvy political mastermind, a powerful queen, and a force to be reckoned with—in any age.

Sterling Biographies are packed with information and unique images ranging from rare documentary photography and artwork to maps and personal artifacts. Young readers will be captivated by riveting first-person accounts and dramatic events told in an accessible and intimate style. This series will assist readers in their introduction to history's most fascinating figures.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—Villainess or goddess, a great queen or a selfish and overly ambitious woman—readers get to decide. They will be drawn into this biography by a description of a legendary magnificent banquet given by Mark Antony for Cleopatra. The lively narrative maintains interest from her birth in 69 BCE to her death in 31 BCE. Cleopatra and her brother Ptolemy XIII became rulers of Egypt in 51 BCE. Her reign, however, was characterized by conspiracy and intrigue. Her alliance with Julius Caesar solidified her position as queen but brought ill feelings toward her from the Romans. The birth of their son, Caesarion, angered the Romans further. Again, either for expediency or love, Cleopatra found her next ally in Mark Antony. As before, this union had disastrous results. Embroiled in a civil war, Mark Antony faced opposition from his own people and from Rome's allies. The struggle ended with his suicide and Cleopatra's in 31 BCE. Sidebars, color photographs, and reproductions appear throughout. As the author states, "A record of Cleopatra's reign written during her lifetime does not exist…. If her role had not been so important to Rome…we would not know anything about her at all." This book leaves readers fascinated and eager to learn more about her time in history.—Lana Miles, Jackson Elementary School, Rosenberg, TX

Meet the Author

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Susan Blackaby

Mary Newell DePalma's illustrations have appeared in newspapers, books, and magazines. Some of her assignments have involved drawing giraffes, cans of shrimp, mice, matchsticks, and pork chops. The Strange Egg is the first children's book that she has both written and illustrated. She lives in Boston with her husband and their two children.

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